Cold press



W. L. CLOUSE COLD PRESS Filed April 1, 1931 '4 Sheets-Sheet l lllllllllllllllll Oct. 15, 1935. w. L. CLQIJSE coma PRESS .4 sheets-sheet 2 Eu HQ Filed April 1, 1951 fits WIL. Claus v Q I H Oct. 15, 1935'.

' W. L. CLQUSE COLD PRESS Filed April 1, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 wm\% m Q QM an u H. \k m w Mw .-TXI\L IN I mm FN l mww a BM F0 & Q w w MN Patented oct. 15, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE corn mass William L. Clouse, Tiflin, Ohio, assignor to The National Machinery Company, Tiflln, Ohio Application April 1, 1931, Serial No. 526,991

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a cold press of the vertical type designed for striking one or more blows in the formation of a forging.

Cold presses for making large forgings are in ent points.

Sectional frames the members of which are.

fastened together have also been objectionable because, in large presses in which heavy forgings are produced, the excessive resistance to the action of the slide causes an extensive stretch of the tying means and the frame.

A still further objection which is present in large vertical presses now in use is the employment of knuckles or toggles for actuating the slide. A toggle connection tends to slow down the slide as it approaches the,lower limit of its movement. This prevents the rapid compression of the blank so essential to the proper shaping of the forging.

In order to produce a properly finished forg ing it is necessary that there be no movement in the bed frame and no resiliency in the connection between the slide and its driving mechanism. If the frame of the machine swaysor weaves in any direction or if the frame stretches while the blank is under compression, the dies will not bebrought into proper relation to each other to insure flow of metal into all portions of the cavities in the dies. On the contrary, metal 40 which should be forced into these cavities will follow the path of least-resistance which is the excessive space produced between the sides of the dies through the failure of the dies to properly come together. The metal, flowing through this 5 space,-forms a flash of'obje'ctionable proportions and where angular or rounded corners, shoulders,

etc., should be formed on the finishedforging, there will be found a lack of metal resulting in an article of incorrect shape.

'5 All of-the foregoing objections have been pres ent heretofore in cold presses due to the fact hat'none ofv them have been so built as to'resist we'aving or swaying, in all directions and to" resist stretching. Consequently it has not been possible, until now, to produce in such a press from hot, semi-hot or coldblanks, an accurately finished forging of irregular shape and of large size.

Another objection to present types of cold presses is found in theuse of toggles or links 6 for operating the large slides required. As heretofore pointed out, adriving connection of this kind slows down the movement of the slide as it reaches its lower limit. Consequently when the blankis placed under heavy compression durl0 ing the formation of the forging, the metal of the 'blank, during this slowing down of the slide, will exude from between the dies and thus form a heavy flashing composed of metal which should have gone to the pockets in the dies to properly l6 shape the forging.

Other presses of large sizes have used cranks with special connecting elements between them and the slide, but the resiliency present in these connections has resulted in failure to properly 20 and quickly confine the metal under compression and insure filling of all portions of the die cavities. Consequently imperfect articles have been produced.

It is an object of the-present invention to pro- 25 vide a vertical press in which none of the objections herein stated are present.

It is a further object to so construct the frame of the press that it cannot sway or weave in any direction relative to the bed supporting the 30 stationary die.

Another object is to provide a vertical press having its frame formed in a single steel casting reinforced by tie rods which are shrunk therein so as to-be constantly under tension, it there- 35 fore being impossible forthe frame to stretch during the formation of large forgings becausebefore the stretching action could occur it would first be necessary to overcome the tension of the rods due to contraction and thereafter overcome 40 the natural resistance offered by both the onepiece steel frame and the rods.

A still further object is to provide a vertical press having means for bringing the movable die quickly to closed position on the stationary die 45 so that ,.during the compressing action the metal of the blank will haveno opportunity to exude from between the dies. On the contrary the metal must be forced intoall portions of the die cavity, thereby producing a finished article shaped accurately to theform and smoothness desired.

Large vertical presses heretofore constructed have required the use of adjustable connections between the slide and its operating means. These connection: have been used for the purpose of II insuring proper cooperation of the movable die with the fixed die and to enable the dies to be separatedshould they become jammed by the One of the objects of the present invention is to eliminate all adjustments between the slide and its driving means so that there are no connections likely to spring or become otherwise distorted when subjected to excessive resistance during the forging operation.

A still further object is to provide a bed frame having a novel arrangement of openings whereby the stationary and movable dies of the press can be accommodated properly. It is not new in' ation of the machine can be promptly proceeded with.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cold press of the vertical type having a slide for carrying the movable die, this slide being so constructed and so assembled relative to its operating means as to permit the use of a bed frame of much less height than would otherwise be required.

A still further object is to provide a slide having widely spaced bearing surfaces for engaging guides provided therefor in the bed frame so that the slide and the die carried thereby will have an accurate right line movement.

Astill further object is to provide a bed frame which does not require the use of the usual capped bearings for the main crank shaft of the machine but can utilize bearings which are housed within the bed frame.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed,

- without departing from the spirit of the invenwedge being shown in elevation.

tion.

In the accompanying drawings, the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings:

. Figure 1 is a front elevation of the press. Figure 2 .is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a section on 'line 3-3, Figure 1, the slide and supporting wedge being shown in elevation.

Figure 4 is a top plan view.

Figure 5 is a section on line 5'5, Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a section on line 6-6, Figure 3.

Figure '7 is a section on line 1-1, Figure 3, the

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the wedge. Figure 9 is a section on line 9-9, Figure '7. Figure 10 is a perspective view of.theslide. Referring to the figures by characters of reference, l designates the bed frame of the. press formed in a single casting the flanged base 2 of which is reinforced by an integral transverse segmental extension 3 extending at its ends between depending bosses 4. These bosses are in line with similar ones located at the top of the bed frame as shown at 5 where they' are disposed at opposite sides of a reinforcing segmental extension 6 formed integral with the bed frame. 5

This extension as well as the extension 3 is arranged transversely of the frame as shown. Tension rods 1 are extended longitudinally within the bed frame and seated at their ends within the bosses l and 5 where they are held by any means desired. These rods are shrunk in the bed frame so as to be constantly under tension thereby to add materially to the tensile strength of the bed frame.

The sides of the bed frame I can be formed with openings 8 of sufficient size to receive the crank shaft 9 which, in the structure illustrated, carries an eccentric ID. This shaft is insertible endwise into position and supports the eccentric between said openings. The shaft is jo'urnaled 20 in bushings ll carried by the upper and lower bearing blocks l2 and I3. Blocks 12 are adapted to thrust upwardly against the top walls of the openings 8 while the blocks [3 are adjustably supported by wedges I 4 which can be forced between them and the bottom walls of the openings 8 and subsequently held by any suitable means if so desired. For example, a plate H: can be bolted to the bed frame so as to lap the wedge I4.

A screw I6 can be mounted in this plate and, when adjusted against the wedge l4, will hold said wedge against accidental displacement.

Any suitable means can be provided for actuating the shaft 9. For example, a gear II can' be secured thereto where it will mesh with and be actuated by a gear! secured to a countershaft Hi. This countershaft can be journaled in bearings 20 provided therefor at the back portion of the bed frame I or, if preferred, can be jourrialed in capped bearings such as commonly used. 40 Another gear 2| can be secured to shaft l9 adjacent to that side of the machine remote from gear l8 and can mesh with the gear 22 of an electric motor 23. This motor can be connected to the back portion of the bed frame or can be supported by any other suitable means. Any preferred means other than an electric motor couldbe employed for driving shaft l9. A fly wheel 24 is secured to shaft 19.

The bed frame I has its side portions connected by the integral base 2 and the integral crown portion 25 on which is formed the segmental reinforcing extension 6. This crown portion is extended downwardly back of the openings 8 as shown particularly in Figure 3 to provide a recess in the upper portion of the bed frame between the sides thereof and, as a further means for reinforcement, the-side portions nay be connected by an integral cross bar 26 cred to receive the shaft 19 as shown at 21 in Figure 3. The 60 recess thus provided constitutes a housing for the shaft 9 and eccentric l0 which are supported by the bearings in the sides of the bed frame.

In the construction of the bed frame as herein pointed out it has been the purpose to so ar- 65 range the integral parts of the frame as to resist every tendency of said frame to .weave or sway in any direction. For example, the heavy side portions of the bed frame I are joined at the top not only by the reinforcing extension 6 but also by the rearwardly and downwardly curved crown portion 25 which cooperates with the sides of the frame and the extension 6 to form in effect a one-piece box which tends to resist all tendencies to sway. In addition to this box-like construction there is provided the cored bar 26 which is integral with the sides of the bed frame and acts to further resist the lateral weaving or swaying of the bed frame. Stretching of the frame is of course resisted by the tensioned bars ,slide bearings 29., Thus there is provided an upper guide channel with back and sides formed by the bed frame. A combined guide and retaining plate 30 is secured across the recess or need not be more'than six feet six inches. As

' will be appreciated by those skilled in this art,

or twelve feet. Applicant, however, by utilizing to form'a guide-way for the upper portion of a slide as hereinafter explained.

Formed on the inner faces of the sides of the bed frame adjacent the rear portions thereof and below the level of the openings 8 are laterally spaced longitudinal slide bearings 3|. These bearings, with adjacent portions of the bed frame, provide a lower guide channel and secured in re cesses 32 provided therefor in the front faces of the sides of 'bed frame I, are angular strips 33 which extend back between the sides of the bed frame in front of the bearings 3| so as to cooperate with said bearings to properly guide the lower portion of a slide. These gangle or guide strips 33 can be connected by on or more cross bars 34 bolted or otherwise fastened to them.

Slidable between the bearings 3| andstrips 33 i: the large lower end or main portion 35 of the slide of the machine. This lower portion has a recess 36 extending'thereinto from the top and back faces thereof and the side walls of this recess areformed wi h openings 31. Extending a slide such as herein described can reduce said distance to approximately six feet and is thus enabled to utilize a one-piece bed frame. Furthermore the structure of applicant's press provides a longer pathof travel for the slide than would be practically possible in any vertical cold press approximating the power of the one herein disclosed. As the fronts of the bed frame and of the guides 29 and 3| are open it will be obvious that the slide can be assembled readily with the bed frame by suspending it close to and in front of the bed frame, connecting the pitman 38 to the main portion 35 of the slide, and then moving the slide and pitman back into the bed frame where the slide will properly engagethe guides as shown in Figure 3. Thereafter the cover plates 3|] and 33 can be placed in position to hold the slide in proper operative relation with the guides.

The lower end of the slide can be provided with 25 any suitable means for attaching a movable die to it. For example, and as shown in the drawings, a dove-tail channel 42 can be formed in the lower face of the slide for' thereception of a the dovetailed portion 43 of a die plate 44. The 80 die 45 is carried by this plate. An car 45 can be extended downwardly from the slide to receive r be shifted forwardly or backwardly relative to 85 downwardly into the recess is the lower portion of a pitman 38 which is carried by the eccentric !0 so as to be actuated thereby. A pin .39 is seated in the pitman and bears in the openings 31.

' slidably engaging the bearings 29 and plate 39 is the smaller upper end or steadying portion 49 of the slide. This is preferably formed hollow so as o be open at the back. Anintermediate connecting portion 4| is offset from and cast integral with the lower and upper portions and of the slide and is channeled longitudinally as indicated at 42. the ends of the channel opening into the respective end portions 35 and 40 of the slide. Thus this intermediate portion can embrace a portion of the eccentric l0 and pitman 38 as shown particularly in Figure 3 thereby making it possible to produce a very compact have been located beneath the operating shaft.

Consequently in, a machine having the same length of stroke and the same power as the one herein described it has not been possible to pro vide a structure less than ten or twelve feet in height from the-floor line to the pitman shaft, whereas in the present device the maximum distance between the floor line and said shaft 9 the slide'and thereby cause a corresponding ad= justment of the movable die 45. Obviously means other than that shown and described may be employed for connecting the die to the slide.

The base of the bed frame is formed with an 40 inclined upper face 49 which is provided, in its highest portion, with a central longitudinal channel 49 which is substantially horizontal. The inclined surface or seat 48 supports a flat wedge 59 having a central longitudinal tongue 5| formed 4,5 upon the bottom surface of the thinnest portion thereof and projecting therefrom. This tongue is slidably seated in the channel 49. The upper surface of the wedge is horizontal and is adapted to support the stationary die used in the press. 50 This die can be held adjustably by any suitable means. For example, a dovetail groove 52 can be extended transversely} within ihe wedge to receive a' dovetail die plate carrying the stationary die 54. A screw 55 can be swiveled in an ear 65 56 at one end of groove 52 and can engage the die plate. Thus by means of this screw the die 54 can be adjusted transversely of the machine. This adjustment together with the front and back adjustment of die 54 enables the operator to accurately match the two dies prior to the operation of the machine.

The large end of the wedge 50 is engaged by an adjusting screw 55 which is carried by an ear 51 extending from the inclined seat 48. By means 55 of this screw the wedge can be shifted longitudinally to raise the die 54 relative to the slide and thereby insure proper relative positioning of the two dies when the slirlig' H tches the lower limit of its stroke.

- In order to prevent BiCCidQRL QsfiiSPIflC ent of the wedge after it has been adjusted. oits 58 can be seated in longitudinal slots 59 formedin the corner portions of the wedge and also in cor-'- u responding openings or slots formed in the base 2.

As heretofore stated this press can be used for making forgings of different sizes and shapes and will produce them accurately and with well finished surfaces. After the blank, whether it be hot, semi-hot .or cold, has been placed above the stationary die the slide is actuated by eccentric l0 which will drive it rapidly until the movable die is brought to its extreme lowermost position. As the frame of the machine can neither stretch, weave nor sway because of its peculiar construction, and as there is no objectionable retardation of the downward movement of the slide and its die, there will be no excessive flow of metal between the dies which was intended to be forced into the cavities for the purpose of producing a forging of the required shape and size. Instead the resultant forging will be well finished and all portions thereof will be properly built out. When forgings of irregular thicknesses have been produced in vertical presses it has generally been necessary to so arrange the dies relative to the central line of pressure that the resistance to compression offered by different portions of the blank would be equalized so as to oflset, if possible, any tendency of the bed frame to sway to an excessive degree. The proper positioning of the dies for this purpose has been practically impossible. By constructing the bed frame as shown and described by me no such careful placing of the dies is necessary because the proportions of the frame are such as to overcome any tendency of the frame to weave even though the resistance to the action of the movable die should be unequal.

While the wedge 50 is used for adjusting the stationary die upwardly .and downwardly, a very important function thereof resides in its utility as a relief device. Freguently, in the operation of a cold press the dies and the work become jammed while on or close to a dead center so that it becomes impossible to continue operation of the machine without taking down, some of the parts. In the present case, should the work become jammed and the machine stop, it will be necessary only to disengage screw 36 from the wedge and, after loosening bolts 38 to strike a blow with a sledge against the end of tongue 5|. This will drive the wedge a short distance downwardly along the inclined surface 48 and .release the jammed portions so that the slide can be raised,

the'parts quickly readjusted and the operation continued. It has been found in practice, that in order to obtain this desirable relief, it is es-' sential that the angle of the wedge be not less than ten degrees. Otherwise this wedge, which in a machine of the presenttype can be approximately twenty-nine inches wide and forty-seven inches long, or larger, could not be unseated by means of a sledge. This large pitch of the wedge is also advantageous because of the extensive adjustment of the die'which is possible as a result thereof but which would not be possible in other known. types of cold presses without materially reducing the vertical height of the dies which,- of course, would be-decidedly objectionable.

As a means for expediting cleaning of the cavity in the bed frame containing the dies,-side openings 6| can be formed in the sides of the med-frame adjacent to the wedge as shown in Figures 2, ,3 and '7. Thus dirt, small pieces of metal and other accumulations can be easily brushed or blown from the lower portion ofthe bed frame and at the same time access is given to position the crank between the top and base to any adjusting means which might be provided for the stationary die.' The openings also allow the operator to readily introduce or remove the work. It visto be understood, of course, that one i or both of these openings may be dispensed with 5 if so desired;

What is claimed is:

1. In a cold press a one-piece solid frame, a shaft extending through the frame, a guide above the shaft having an'integral back and sides forming an upper guide channel, a guide below the shaft having an integral back and sides forming a lower guide channel, a die carrying slide having a main portion adapted to reciprocate in the lower guide channel, and an upper steadying portion adapted to reciprocate in the upper guide channel, said portions 'being connected by an integral intermediate connecting portion passing one side of the shaft, cover plates for the channels, and a driving connection between the main 20 portion of the slide and the shaft thereabove.

2. In a cold press a one-piece solid frame, a shaft extending through the frame, a. guide above the shaft having an integral back and sides forming an upper guide channel, a guide below the 25 shaft having an integral back and sides forming a lower guidechannel, a die carrying slide having a main portion adapted to reciprocate in the lower guide channel, and an upper steadying portion adapted to reciprocate in the upper guide channel, said portions being connected by an integral intermediate connecting portion passing one side of the shaft, cover plates for the channels, and a driving connection between the main portion of the slide and the shaft thereabove, said intermediate connecting portion being channelled to receive a portion of the driving'connection.

3. A cold press including a one-piece frame open at the front, upper and lower guides within the frame, a shaft journalled in the sides of the frame, a one-piece slide comprising a lower main portion, an upper steadying portion and an intermediate connecting portion, said main and steadying portions being mounted for reciprocation upon the lower and upper guides respectively, a driving pitman connection between the shaft and the main portion of the slide, said guides opening forwardly within the frame to permit backward movement of the connected pitman and slide into the frame and into operative relation with the guides, and cover plates for holding the slide to the guides. 7

' 4. In a cold press a bed frame formed in a single casting including an anvil supporting base,

. a top overlyingthe base, and side portions integral 55 with the top and base and extending from front, to back thereof, said top extending rearwardly and downwardly and coomrating with theside portions to form a one-piece box-like upper portion of the bed frame for holding said frame against lateral weaving, there being openings extending through the side portions of a diameter suflicient to permit the longitudinal insertion of a shaft and a crank thereon through the openings and between the side portions.

5. In a ooldpress a bed frame formed in a single casting including an anvil supporting base, a top overyling the base, and side portions integral with the top and base and extending from front to back thereof, said top extending rearwardly and downwardly and cooperating with the side portions to form a one-piece box-like upper portion of the bed frame for holding said frame in the side portions and a guide member formed by the back and side portions below said openings, and a slide for engagement with said guide members. v

6. In a cold press a bed frame formed in a single casting including an anvil supporting base,

a top overlying the base, side portions integral, with the top and base and extending from front to back thereof, said top extending rearwardly and downwardly and cooperating with the side portions to form a one-piece box-like upper portion of. the bed frame for holding said frame respective guide portions.

against lateral weaving, there being openings ex tending through. the side portions of a diameter sufficient to permit the longitudinal insertion of a shaft and a crank thereon through, the openings to position the crank between the top and base and between the side portions, there being a guide member formed by the top above the openings in the side portions and a guide member formed by the back and side portions below said openings,

said guide portions being adapted to be engaged 1o by an upper steadying portion and a die carrying portion respectively of a slide insertible backwardly between the side portions, and means detachably connected to the. top and side portions of the bed frame for holding the adjacent poru v tions of a slide in working engagement with the WILLIAM L. CLOUSE. 

